Mining machine



Aprll 12, 1932. c. E. DAVIS 1,354,114

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 5, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet l 5H am & W59. m .mf i ml w m H WE E El rhlllr 98 a. Flvm/ E April 12, 1932. c. E. DAVIS MINING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 5, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m mwf 5 I ATT RN INVENTOQ 5 CHARLE-J E-DAVU mm & mm 3 @m m 1 q m3 mm dd in Q2 mm X: 6 on M mi Original Filed Jan. 3, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 CHAR]. E?! E. DAVIJ ATTORNEY April 12, 1932. c. E. DAVIS 1,854,114

MINING MACHINE Original Fil ed Jan; 5, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m: V Js E M 92 km 8 INV N o CHAQLEJ Ffifavu 5V: ATT R EY Patented Apr. 12, 1932 CHAR-LES COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS MINING MACHINE Application fil d January 3, 1922, Seria1 No. 526,884; Renewed January 26, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in kerf cutting mining machines and more particularly to that type of kerfcutting machines commonly called over-cutting machines. Such machinesare usually mounted on. wheels and supported on the mine track both while'moving from place to place and whileforming a kerf and are provided with cutting mechanism extending therefrom so as to: out at points between the mine floor and. the roof.

The principal object of the present invention isito provide a mechanism ofthe class above described: suitable for working in low seams'of coal and having means whereby the cutting mechanism may be tilted=both on a longitudinal and a transverse axis. Means are-also pr-ovided for raising or lowering the cutting mechanism: so as to out at various heights; llhe=invention may best be under= stood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in: which Fig.1 is a topplan view of a mining machine constructed: in accordance With myin vention.v

Fig: 2: isia view inside elevation of the machine drawn to a: somewhat larger scale than that sh-ownin Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is it VGIlZlCLlCIfiOSS-SQCtiOD of the ma chine taken on. line 33 of'FigL 1 Fig. 4: is a horizontal section: taken on line 4-4.- of Fig. 3..

Fi 5i isa detailed cross section of a portion of the'driving mechanism, taken on line 55 of'Fig. 1.

Fim. 6 is as detailed cross-section of a portion of the driving mechanism-taken on line 6-6- ofFig: 1.

The main elements of 'the machine com prise a horizontally extending cutting mechanism A supported on a turntable B at the forward end of the machine. Said turn tableB is" mountedfona sub-frame G'so as to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane.

Jr The: sub=frame C is trunnion'e'd on a longitudinalaxis to'a frame member D (seeFig. 4L) which inturn is 'pivotally'mountedbe tween truck members E, E,.to rock on a transverse axis; By means of'the' several pivotal connections above described, details of which will be hereinafter more fully de scribed, it will be seen that the cutting mechanism A may be fed to the coal in a variety of positions which may be controlled by tilting the sub-frame Con its longitudi na l axis with respect to'the frame member D, in which case the sides of the cutter arm will .be tilted on its longitudinal: axis so as to cut aninclined kerf higher at one end than at the other end of the out. Thecutter' arm may also be tilted so that. its outer end is raised or lowered, by tilting the sub-frame C and frame D as a unit with respect to the truck members E, E, on. the transverse pi v otal connection between said framed) and said truck members.

Referring now to details of construction of'the1nacl1ine,the outtingmechanism A comprises a cutter arm 10 having a suitable guideway 11' for supporting a cutter'chainl (:notshown) of any approved pattern. The cut ter arm is'secured in a head frame 12 by means) of bolts 13,13. A plurality of'up' right supporting guide members 14, let-are mounted onrthe turntable B. In the embodiment illustrated, three such supports are shown. The head frame 12 ismovable ver tically with respect to said guide members 14,1 1 and mechanical means are provided for raising or lowerinq said support which com prise aplurality of pinions 16, 16, carried by the head frame and engaging suitable racks 17,.17, mounted on the supports. These pinions are mechanically operated by means which will hereinafter be described.

The sub-frame C is provided at its front end: with: a trunnion 23 pivotally engaged in a bearing 24 carried by frame members 25, 25, extending'forwardly from and integral with the frame member D on opposite sides of the sub-frame C below the turntable B (see Fig.

4). The trunnion 23 is preferably hollow-as shown, to afford lightness of construction; The rear end of thesub-f'rame lias'a trunnion 26 ournaled in a bearing 27 in horizon tal alignment with the forward trunnion 23 already described.

Means for tilting the sub frame-Cwithrespect to frame D comprises alaterally extend-1 ing arm 28 integral with the forward endof trunnion 23 of sub-frame C, and having a forked end 29 in which is pivoted a vertically disposed screw jack 30. The lower end of said screw jack is threaded in an annular nut 31, seated and retained within a yoke 32, extending from one side and integral with the frame D. The nut 31 is provided with a plurality of recesses 3 3 1, about its periphery for receiving a handle so as to be rotated by hand. Rotation of the nut 31 on screw jack 30 causes the sub-frame C to tilt laterally re spective to frame D as desired.

The frame member D extends rearwardly from beneath the turntable B and is pivotally mounted on a horizontally disposed support 40 extending between and connecting the truck members E, E, on opposite sides of said frame. Each of the truck members E, E, comprises a supporting frame 4C1 having wheels 42, 12, mounted on axles 13, 43. The wheels 12 have driving connection with the motor as will be described. Means for tilting the frame D on its transverse axis is similar to that already described for tilting subframe C on its longitudinal axis, and comprises a screw jack 35, connected near the rear end of frame D and threaded in a rotatable nut 36 retained in a yoke 37, carried on one of the supporting frames 41 of the truck, as shown.

The operating mechanism includes a motor 50, mounted at the rear end of the frame member D and provided with an armature pinion 51 which drives a gear 52 loosely mounted on a longitudinally disposed shaft 53. The forward end of shaft 53 is ournaled in the trunnion 26 of the sub-frame C. A bevel gear 54: is mounted at the forward end of said shaft and is meshed with a second bevel gear 55 carried on upright shaft 21. The arran gement is such that the shaft 21 may be driven in all positions of sub-frame C. A chain sprocket 18 is mounted on the head frame 12 adjacent the rear end of the cutter arm in position to afford operative engagement with the cutter chain. The turntable B is provided with a hub 19 journaled on a stud 20 carried by the sub-frame C. The shaft 21 is journaled in the stud 20*, the upper end of said shaft extending through the sprocket wheel 18 and being feathered therein soas to provide a driving connection in any one of several heights in which the head frame 12 may be placed. The lower end of the shaft 21 is journaled in a bracket 22 formed integral with the sub-frame C. A clutch member 56 is mounted on the rear end of the shaft 53 to provide driving engagement between the gear 52 and the shaft 53 so as to connect or disconnect the cutter chain with the motor.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the head frame 12 and cutter arm carried thereby comprises a gear 58 mounted on shaft 59 adapted to engage a pinion 59 keyed on the sprocket wheel 18. The gear 58 is shiftable vertically, and is provided with a clutch 57, comprising a cone 58 adapted to have driving engagement with a worm 60 when gear 58 is in mesh with pinion 59. Worm 6O drives a worm gear 61 mounted on a transverse shaft 62. The latter shaft is o 3erativcly connected to a pair of longitudinally disposed shafts 63, 63, by means of miter gears 64, 64. Pinions 16, 16, which engage the vertically disposed racks 17 for raising and lowering the cutting mechanism are mounted on shafts 62 and 63, 63, as shown. The arrangement is such that when the gear 58 is n eshcd with pinion 59, the cone surface 58 will engage the worm 60 to drive the shafts 62 and 63. The motor 50 may be reversed as desired to raise or lower the cutting mechanism. The worm 60 and worm gear 61 are of the selflocking type so as to maintain the cutting mechanism at any desired position.

Another driving connection with the motor 50 comprises a ear pinion 65, adjacent the gear 52 and carried therewith. A counter shaft 67 is mounted on suitable bearings 68, 68, and has two gears 66 and 69 loosely mounted thereon, and connected together by a suitable sleeve so as to rotate as a unit. A second counter shaft 70 is mounted on suitable bearings 71, 71, 71, parallel with the counter shaft 67. A gear 72 fixed on a sleeve 73, is loosely mounted on the counter shaft 70. Gear pinion is meshed with gear 66 and gear 69 is meshed with gear 72. One end of the sleeve 73 forms the sun gear 7 1 of a planetary speed reducing device 75, affording a reduced driving speed through planetary gears 76 and 77 to an internal gear member 78. I have shown a preferable construction of planetary gear, provided with a casing 83, loosely mounted on sleeve 73, and carrying an internal gear 8% meshed with planetary gear 76. Rotation of the casing 83 is controlled by a variable friction brake 85 to afford a variation of driving speeds through. the planetary. Clutch jaws 79 are integral with an internal gear member 78, and are in position to be engaged by the clutch jaws 80 of sliding clutch member 81 loosely mounted on the counter shaft 70. Clutch member 81 is shifted by clutch collar 86. Said clutch member 81 may also be shifted to engage clutch jaws 83, carried by the sun gear 7 1, to afford a direct drive between clutch member 81 and gear 72. In order to afford a gradual initial engagement between clutch member 81 and shaft 70, a clutch 87, preferably of the ordinary cone type, is provided. The latter clutch is operated by clutch collar 88.

At the forward end of the shaft is a reverse clutch mechanism 95 comprising a. pair of oppositely disposed miter gears 96, 96, engaged with a miter gear 97, mounted on a transverse shaft 98. A clutch member 99 is feathered on the shaft 7 O and is adapted to betshifted-inropposite.directions to. reversethe:

ing clutch 108, feathered on saidshaft The worm'. 101- is meshed with a wormgear 102, which is integral with a gear 103. loosely. mountedon. the counter-shaft 67. The gear 103-i'smeshed with a gear 104. keyedion the hub 1050f beveled pinion 106 (see. Fig.3).

Said pinion engages the annular rack 107 about'the periphery of the turntable Bto turn thelatter. It will be noted'that the'pinion 106' is mounted to rotate loosely. on the shaft 53za-ndzhas' bearingin'longitudinal alignment withthe trunnions'23 and 26 of the frame Ciso as to afford a driving connection with the turntable in all its various positions.

A variable and reversible connection to the truckwheels 12 from shaft 98 is provided as-followsrA sliding gear 110 having clutch jaws 111 on one face thereof is mounted on the shaft 98,.andshiftable by clutch collar 112 (see Figs. 1 and A gear 113 is keyed ona sleeve 114 adjacent'said gear 110, said sleeve having clutch jaws 115 adaptedrtoen gage the jaws 111 on the latter gear-,soas to bedrivendirectly thereby when the gear 110 is in the position shown in Fig. 5. Said sleeve may also be driven at a reduced speed by shifting the gear 110 longitudinally into mesh with gear 116,, which is=1nounted:integral: with gear 118- on counter shaft' 117. Saidgear 118-ismeshed with gear 113,,and

the latter gear is keyedon sleeve 11%. Clutch jaws 111 willthen be disengaged-fromjaws 115 onthe sleeve, and thesleeve will be driven through, gears 110, 116, 118 and 113 at are-- duced speed. A pinion 120 is loosely mount.-

I ed on the shaft 98- adjacent sleeve'114. A

sliding clutch member 121 is featheredonthe sleeve 114 and isprovided with clutch jaws 122 adapted to engage clutch jaws 123 integral with the pinion120 so as to provide a-driving connection between sleeve 11 1- and the pinion 1.20 when desired. A brake drum 124 is preferably mounted-integral with the pinion 120 and is engaged by the friction band 125 to afford a brake for the driving-wheels when desired. Pinion 120 is meshed-with a bearing for frame member D. Eachof the axles 43, 43, and wheels-42, 42, on both truck members E, E, is operatively connected to the shaft 127 by a plurality of. reach gears 128,128, mounted in suitable casings-129, 129, onopposite sides. of the. machine.

A: variable. and reversible driving; connec+ tion from shaft 98: is also providedtoa rope drum 130 mounted: on the shaft=117'as.follows::Thesliding; clutchmember 121, has a pinion 1.31integraltherewithand adaptedto. be: thrown into mesh with a gear 132'keyed to the shaft 117, when said clutch member isshifted'outof engagement with thepinion 120 w-h'ich, drives the truck wheels. The purpose of "said rope drum is to provide means for. moving the machine along: the.- track by' means of ,a flexible cableor chain anchored at: one'endto a fixed abutment and trained over the drum 130. This method is often desirable in controlling the movement of: the machine durmgthe cuttmg operation, as the machine may be more often positivelycontrolled by this means han by depending uponthe traction of the truck wheels on the-mine track.

The use and operation is as follows: The cutter arm 10 carrying the cutter chain may be advanced. to a mine wall in any. desired angular relation and at any desired speed. The cutter chain is driven independently of the truck wheels and of the turntable B on which-it is mounted. In driving entriesor tunnels of specified widths, longitudinally of the minetrack, the machine isadvanced with the-cutter bar at an'angle, so as to make its initial-cuter sump along one side of the entry. The sumping speed-is relatively low, and may be provided either through the low;

speed gear-ing connections to the truck wheels, I

or through'the lowspeed connection to the rope drum. 130 and anchored cable,- asalreadydescribed. After the machine has been sumped, forward movement of themachine is discontinued and the cutter bar may be swung: so that the outerend of the cutter bar describes a substantially semi-circular are. This movement is accomplished at a low feeding speed through the gearing arrangement for driving the turntableB. The machine may'also be used. for drawing pillars, or cutting a kerf alongside thetrack, by positioning thecutter bar was to extend fromone side of the machine, andpropelling the, machine at slow speed along the mine.

track. In all of these cutting operations it will be observed thatthe cutter bar may be tilted at various angles with respect to the. supporting tracks, so as to accommodate the cutting to various conditions,.as for in'- sta-nce,.when the strata of coal is inclined, orwhen the cutter bar is not at the proper cutting angle due to unlevel mine track.

Although I have shown and described one form. in which my invention may be-embodied, it willbe understood that many other means may'be employed for accomplishing,- the same results, without departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention. I do not therefore wishto be understood as limiting myself tothe specific construction or use illustrated herein excepting as specifically limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a wheeled support, a frame member mounted on said support, and having tilting movement thereon on a transverse axis, a turntable mounted at the forward end of said frame member, a cutter arm mounted for vertical adjustment on said turntable, and a motor mounted at the rear end of said frame member and having power connections with said cutting mechanism in cluding a vertically disposed shaft concentrio with said turntable.

2. In a mining machine, a wheeled support, a frame member having pivotal bearing on said support to rock on a transverse axls, a second frame member having pivotal hearing on the first frame member to rock on a longitudinal axis, cutting mechanism mounted on said second frame and having angular movement with respect thereto, a motor mounted on the first frame member, a shaft operatively connected with said motor and concentric with the pivotal bearing of said second frame member, said shaft being operatively connected with the cutting mechanism whereby the latter may be driven in several positions, and a second shaft operatively connected with said motor and concentric with the pivotal bearing of said first frame member, the last named shaft having operative connection with the truck wheels.

3. In a mining machine, a wheeled sup port, a frame member pivotally connected with said support to rock on a transverse axis, a second frame member having a pivotal bearing at the front end of said first frame mem her to rock on a longitudinal axis, a turntable mounted on said second frame having angular movement with respect thereto, cutting mechanism mounted on said turntable, a motor mounted on the first frame member, a shaft operatively connected with the said motor and concentric with the pivotal bearing of said second frame member and operatively connected with the cutting mechanism, a gear concentric with said shaft and having operative engagement with the turntable, and gearing interposed between said loosely mounted gear and said motor whereby said cutting mechanism and turntable may be driven independently of each other, and at different speeds.

4:. In a mining machine, a wheeled support, a frame member mounted on said support and having tilting movement thereon on a transverse axis, a turntable mounted at the forward end of said frame member, a cutter arm mounted for vertical adjustment on said turntable, a motor mounted at the rear end of said frame member and having power con-- nections with said cutting mechanism including a vertically disposed shaft concentric with said turntable, and other power connections between said motor and said turntable.

5. In a mining machine, a wheeled support, a frame member mounted on said support and having tilting movement thereon on a transverse axis, a turntable mounted at the forward end of said frame member, a cutter arm mounted for vertical adjustment on said turntable, a motor mounted at the rear end of said frame member and having power connections with said cutting mechanism including a vertically disposed shaft concentric with said turntable, and means driven from said shaft for adjusting the elevation of said cutting mechanism on said turntable.

6. In a mining machine, a wheeled support movable on a trackway, a turntable mounted on said wheeled support, a chain carrying cutter arm mounted on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto, a motor mounted on said wheeled support, and drive connections from said motor to said wheeled support including a planetary reduction gear mechanism for propelling said wheeled support and feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway and transporting said mining machine thereover at aplurality of predeterminel speeds.

7. In a mining machine, a wheeled support movable on a trackway, a turntable mounted on said wheeled support, a chain carrying outter arm mounted on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto, a motor mounted on said wheeled support, and drive connections from said motor to said wheeled support including a frictionally controlled planetary reduction gear mechanism for ropelling said wheeled support and feeding said cutter arm lon itudinally of the trackway and transporting said mining machine thereover at a plurality of predetermined speeds including a frictionally controlled low speed.

8. In a mining machine, a wheeled support movable on a trackway, a turntable mounted on said wheeled support, a chain carrying cutter arm mounted on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto, a motor mounted on said wheeled support, and drive connections from said motor to said wheeled support for propelling said wheeled support and feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway in reverse directions without reversal of said motor at a plurality of frictionally controlled speeds.

9. In a mining machine, a wheeled support movable on a trackway, a turntable mounted on said wheeled support, a chain carrying cutter arm mounted on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto, a motor mounted on said wheeled support, and drive connections from said motor to said wheeled support for propelling said wheeled support and feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway in reverse directions without reversal of said motor at a plurality of predetermined frictionally controlled speeds including a frictionally controlled planetary gear reduction mechanism.

10. In a mining machine, wheeled support mova 'le on a trackway, a turntable mounted on said wheeled support, a chain carrying cutter arm mounted on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto, a motor mounted on said wheeled support, and drive connections from said motor to said wheeled support for propelling said wheeled support and feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway in reverse direct-ions without reversal of said motor at a plurality of predetermined frictionally controlled speeds including a frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction mechanism and otherchangespeedmechanism interposed between said panetary gear reduction mechanism and said wheeled sup port.

11. In a mining machine, a wheeled sup;

port movable on a trackway, a turntable I mounted on said wheeled support, a chain carrying cutter arm mounted on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto, a motor mounted on said wheeled support, and drive connections from said motor to said Wheeled support for propelling said wheeled support and feeding said out ter arm longitudinally of the trackway in re verse directions without reversal of said motor at a plurality of predetermined frictionally controlled speeds including a frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction mechanism and direction changing drive gearing interposed between said planetary gear reduction mechanism and said wheeled support. I

12. In a mining machine, a wheeled support movable on a trackwa-y, a turntable mounted on said wheeled support, a chain carrying cutter arm mounted on said turntable for vertical. movement with respect thereto, a motor mounted on said wheeled support, and drive connections from said motor to said wheeled support for propelling said wheeled support and feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway in reverse direcfions without reversal of said meter at a plurality of predetermined frictionally cont-rolled speeds including a frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction mechanism, other change speed mechanism interposed between said planetary gear reduction mechanism and said wheeled support, and direction changing drive gearing interposed between said other change speed mechanism and said planetary gear reduction mechanism.

13. In a mining machine, a wheeled support, a frame member mounted on said support and having tilting movement thereon on. a longitudinal axis, a turntable mounted atthe forward-endof said frame member, a cutter arm mounted for 'verticaladjustment on said turntable, a motor mounted at the rearward end of "said frame member, :and power connections from said motor 'to said wheeled support to propel the latter for feeding'said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway and transporting the same thereover at a plurality of frictionally controlled speeds including a planetary gear reduction mechanism. I 14. Ina mining vmachine,:awheeled support, a frame member mounted :on said :support; and having tilting movement thereon on a longitudinal axis, a turntable mounted at the forward end'ofsaid frame member, a cutter arm mounted for vertical adjustment on said turntable, a motor mounted at the rearward .end of said frame member, "and power connections from said motor 'to said wheeled support to propel the latter for feeding said cutter arm .longitudinally'of the traclrway and transporting the same there'- overat a plurality of frictionally'controlled speeds including a frictionally controlled planetary gear reduction mechanism.

15. In a mining machine, a wheeled support,"a frame member mounted on saidsmpport and having tilting movement thereon on a longitudinal axis, a turntable mounted at the forward endc'f saidframe member,:a

cutter-arm mounted for vertical adjustment on said turntable, -a motor mounted at the rearward end -oi said frame' member, power connections from said motor to said wheeled support tozpropel the latter for feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway and 'transportingthe same thereo-ver at a plurality 'o'ftrictionally controlled speeds including a mammn controlled planetary gear reduction mechanism and power connections from said :motor to :said cutting-mech anism including a verticall'ydisposed shaft concentric with said turntable.

16. In a mining machine, a wheeled support, a frame member mounted on said support and having tilting movement thereon on a longitudinal axis,:a turntable mounted at the forward end of said frame 'member, 1a cutter arm mounted (for vertical adjustment on said turntable, a motor mounted at the rearward end :of saidframe member, and

power connections fromz'said motor to said wheeled support to propel the latter for feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway and transporting the same thereover at a plurality of frictional-1y controlled speeds including a frictionally controlled planetaryfige'ar reduction mechanism, power connections from said motor to-said cutting mechanism includinga vertically disposed shaft concentric withsaid turntable and other power connections between said motor and said turntable.

17. In a mining machine, a wheeled support, a frame member mounted on said support and having tilted movement thereon on a longitudinal axis, a turntable mounted at the forward end of said frame member, a cutter arm mounted for vertical adiustment on said turntable, a motor mounted at the rearward end of said frame member, and power connections from said motor to said wheeled support to propel the latter for feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway and transporting the same thereover at a plurality of frictionally controlled speeds in reverse directions without reversal of said motor including a planetary gear reduction mechanism.

18. In a mining machine, a wheeled sup port, a frame member mounted on said support and having tilting movement thereon on a longitudinal axis, a turntable mounted at the forward end of said frame member, a cutter arm mounted for vertical adjustment on said turntable, a motor mounted at the rearward end of said frame member, power connections from said motor to said wheeled support to propel the latter for feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway and transporting the same thereover at a plurality of frictionally controlled speeds in reverse directions without reversal of said motor including a frictionally controlled planetary gear reduction mechanism and other change speed gear reduction mechanism interposed between said planetary gear reduction mechanism and said wheeled support.

19. In a mining machine, a wheeled support, a frame member mounted on said support and having tilting movement thereon on a longitudinal axis, a turntable mounted at the forward end of said frame member, a cutter arm mounted for vertical adjustment on said turntable, a motor mounted at the rearward end of said frame member, power connections from said motor to said wheeled support to propel the latter for feeding said cutter arm longitudinally of the trackway and trans-- porting the same thereover at a plurality of frictionally controlled speeds in reverse directions without reversal of said motor includ ing a frictionally controlled planetary gear reduction mechanism, other change speed gear reduction mechanism interposed between said planetary gear reduction mechanism and said wheeled support, and direction changing drive gearing interposed between said other change speed mechanism and said planetary gear reduction mechanism.

Signed at Chicago in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this thirtieth day of December, 1921.

CHARLES E. DAVIS. 

